40 Boomer Skills Everyone Had in the Past That Kids Today Don’t Have

Unlike in the United States, manual transmissions are quite popular in many parts of the world. In the 1980s, 35% of cars in America were stick shifts, indicating that many Americans were adept at manual driving. Fast-forward to today and the proportion of manual drivers has drastically dwindled, almost hitting extinction.

Today, the preference for automatic vehicles dominates the American landscape, leaving a vast majority unfamiliar with the nuances of manual gearing. Interestingly, generational differences are stark; baby boomers are more likely to be comfortable behind the wheel of a stick shift than millennials, who may have never had the opportunity to learn.